EEHARF WEEKEND YOUTH ACTIVITY PROGRAMME

In 2005 the former East End Social Inclusion Partnership (now East Centre & Calton Community Planning Partnership) undertook a review of services for young people across Glasgow East with a view to improving the quality, range and coverage of services and encouraging organisations to work more effectively in partnership.  In parallel with this, the East End Housing Associations Regeneration Forum (EEHARF) was established and identified youth issues as a priority.  EEHARF involves 5 community based Housing Associations including Milnbank HA, Thenew HA, Shettleston HA, Parkhead HA & Tollcross HA, all of whom are based in Glasgow East. 

The Weekend Youth Activity Programme, led by EEHARF, has been running since November 2006 and is supported by a variety of funders including East Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, GHA, the Scottish Government and the local housing organisations whose role in this programme is crucial.  Over £900,000 has been secured to provide additional youth services in Glasgow East as well as to enhance existing service provision.

This programme is an innovative project that brings a wide range of partners together to ensure that young people from the East End community have access to and uptake the opportunity of utilising wide ranging services from a variety of youth organisations.  The co-ordination of the programme is delivered by Sean Connor (EEHARF) and Gary Harkins (John Wheatley College).

The EEHARF engages with a variety of youth providers as well as both Celtic and Rangers who provide coaching sessions in several areas within Glasgow East.  Other activities provided range from drop in services, sports coaching, to music, dance sessions and outdoor education.  Streetworkers engage with young people with the aim of establishing contact and building relationships and giving information and advice on issues such as employment and accessing services.  On any given weekend the programme delivers over 50 drop in / streetwork sessions to around 700 young people.  Statistics and topics discussed with streetworkers are collated and this information helps shape future service delivery.  To date over 100,000 young people have accessed the services provided over weekends.  The success of this programme is also due to local youth organisations that have contributed to its development and continued progress.  Without such input and shared working there would be no programme.

During 2010 / 2011 the programme has extended and formed new partnerships with other youth providers and youth organisations within the Baillieston, Shettleston and Greater Easterhouse Local Community Planning Partnership area.  Our new partner in the delivery of weekend youth work services will be Wellhouse Community Trust.  Other Glasgow East venues will be added over the coming weeks.

For more information contact:

Sean Connor;  Tel  0141 551 8131

Email:  s.connor@milnbank.org.uk

Gary Harkins;  Tel  0141 588 1500

Email:  gharkins@jwheatley.ac.uk